Vicky Stinson’s Journey with Pancreatic Cancer

It took a long six months for doctors to determine the cause of Vicky Stinson’s jaundice, ultimately revealing she had pancreatic cancer at Stage III. The news was gut-wrenching when a doctor told her she had “months – not years – to live.”

Stinson, who identifies as an optimist, found it quite difficult to digest this prognosis. “And I just decided not to accept that,” she reflected, managing a laugh.

Fast forward two years, and Stinson is, surprisingly, beating the odds.

At 65, the retired landscape architect, who enjoys watercolor painting and hiking in Flagstaff, Arizona, expresses her determination: “I have this drive and I want to keep going.” She’s married to her college sweetheart, adding a personal touch to her optimism.

Fortunately for Stinson, advancements in research are finally making headway against pancreatic cancer, a notoriously difficult disease to detect and treat. She benefited from a new drug called daraxonrasib, which targets cancer cells with a common mutation. Other treatments are also in development, including a personalized mRNA vaccine and a device that administers alternating electrical fields to the abdomen.

Approximately 70,000 Americans receive a pancreatic cancer diagnosis each year, but around 80% are found at a late stage. Companies are now working on improved screening methods, such as blood tests designed to identify markers for various cancers. The current five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is a disheartening 13%, but there’s hope as breakthroughs in treatment continue to emerge.

Understanding the Challenges of Pancreatic Cancer

Multiple factors contribute to the complexity of pancreatic cancer. Its location, hidden behind several organs, makes it difficult to diagnose early. Surgical oncologist Rajesh Ramanathan explains that symptoms like abdominal pain and eating difficulties are vague, often leaving patients unsure of the source of their discomfort.

The treatment landscape is also complicated due to cancer cells creating a protective “cocoon,” which acts as a barrier, shielding them from effective treatments like chemotherapy. This anatomical challenge is further exacerbated by the pancreas’s proximity to vital veins and arteries, facilitating the spread of cancer cells throughout the body.

Recent clinical trials have shown promise for new treatment options. For instance, the drug daraxonrasib has demonstrated the potential to significantly outperform chemotherapy, extending patient survival and reducing disease progression.

After participating in the clinical trial for 13 months, Stinson expressed her relief at the ease of taking a single pill rather than undergoing long infusions. While she experienced some mild side effects, they were manageable compared to traditional chemotherapy.

Stinson humorously remarked on developing mild acne during the treatment and felt it reminded her of her teenage years. Energized by the medication, she even tackled a hiking trip in the Dolomite mountains in Italy, enjoying a year of relative normalcy.

Future of Treatment and Hope

Daraxonrasib’s hopeful potential led the FDA to permit expanded access to patients, and Stinson remains optimistic about getting the drug soon. This could signify a new era in pancreatic cancer treatment, with focus shifting towards targeting the root causes of the disease.

Research is currently exploring how to combine this new drug with other therapies and innovations. Exciting advances such as customized mRNA vaccines also show potential, as some have extended patient lives significantly.

The FDA has approved a device that employs high-frequency electrical signals to combat pancreatic cancer cells, providing patients with another option that minimizes toxic exposure.

While all these progressions are promising, they also create a tense atmosphere for patients like Vicky Stinson who are eagerly awaiting effective treatments. After a period of stability on daraxonrasib, her cancer returned, escalating to Stage IV, which prompted a halt to the medication and a shift back to chemotherapy. This transition has been challenging for her and her family.

Despite the setbacks, Stinson remains hopeful for breakthroughs that could benefit her and others facing similar battles. “It feels like it’s so close,” she says, “and it’s like if I could just hold on for a little longer, maybe this could work for me.”